As a teenager it is easy to be talked into doing things you may not want to do. Doing these things could lead to problems in the future, whether it's becoming addicted to drugs or dropping out of school. The best way to avoid these problems is to stay away from alcohol, bad influences and abusive relationships. It may be difficult but there are ways. There are four stages that abusive relationships tend to go through. The first is the honeymoon phase. At this stage the couple is "in love". They get along well, share gifts and spend a lot of time together. Everything is normal. This is a time when the two individuals are still getting to know each other. There are not many signs that either partner will become violent. At this point, there may be no alcohol present in a relationship except at parties or in romantic contexts. The second phase is that of building tension. This stage is when one partner starts to become jealous and/or controlling. There may be some verbal abuse and in some cases minor violence may occur. This may start due to stress about money, work, or children. The victim will try to please the abuser by allowing him to be violent. This is the time when drinking can play a bigger role. The abuser will drink to relieve stress, making him less aware of what he is doing, and the victim may start drinking to release tension. The third phase is the abusive phase. This is the time when physical violence occurs and alcohol consumption increases significantly. The abuse becomes intense and may result in the victim needing medical attention. The victim's need for alcohol increases to relieve pain, and the abuser's need for alcohol increases to relieve feelings of guilt and helplessness. The last phase of abusive relationships is the honeymoon phase, ... middle of paper ... .ip means talking to someone you trust. There are numerous hotlines and support groups to help people get out of and recover from abusive relationships. Many people may not know this, but there are laws against domestic violence. Always make sure you know who you are talking to before getting into a relationship. Only become intimate with a person if you are aware of any negative or violent behavior they may be capable of. This will save you from many harmful and negative experiences later in life. Works Cited http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating_violence.html http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/dating-statistics-violence http://www.helpguide.org/ mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htmhttp://www.teenchallenge.org/site/c.inKLKROuHqE/b.5612157/k.793D/The_Link_Between_Alcohol_and_Violence.htm